Co2 Dissolving in Water

....so I guess you *do* know about this news group, eh Brian? ;^)

I tried a similar kind of CO2 injection system in my tank. I have gotten
best results with a small CO2-filled pressure tank and a solenoid-controlled
regulator. I have had excellent luck with a product called the "CO2 Power
Reactor" to dispense the CO2. See http://www.azgardens.com/newCO22.php and
http://www.aquatic-store.com/en-us/dept_27.html It operates on the same
timer as the CO2 pressure tank's solenoid, and I run them both *only when
the lights are on*.

As I mentioned before, I use sera florena liquid plant fertilizer. My
substrate is also sand, specifically, "Filter Media" from Tec Minerals of
Eagle Lake, TX. The bags say, "For above ground and in-ground pools with
sand filter systems."

I have found that the most important aspects of a successful planted tank
are

(1) a decent substrate, which it sounds like you have,

(2) regular, complete fertilization, and sera florena has worked well for
me,

(3) CO2 as described above (check the pH either with a meter or a test
kit),

(4) proper water hardness, which you must also monitor (see
http://www.thekrib.com/Plants/CO2/), and of course,

(5) adequate lighting. I use a set of 5000K and 6400K fluorescents that
turn on and off in a cascading fashion to try to imitate a dawn-to-dusk
cycle. This probably pleases me more than the plants and fish!

Apologies to those of you who find my descriptions above to be too
simplistic.

Best of luck to you Brian,

David


"Brian S." wrote in message
news:YQzkd.18828$V41.13907@attbi_s52...
OK, another topic on Co2.

So, I have 2, 3-liter bottles cooking up the good ole yeast fermenting
sugar.

I have both connected to a T-connector and then the line goes into a
plastic, rectangular bell container that comes with Jungle's Co2 Fizz
Factory.

The instructions on the Fizz Factory says to submerge the bell container
just below the level of the water. However, I got to thinking, that by
possibly putting it further down in the water, say a few inches from the
bottom, that the water pressure would be greater and cause the Co2 to
dissolve quicker.

But, it doesn't appear to be working. Both the 3-liter bottles are on
their
last leg and need to be energized, but I am only getting about one bubble
per 10 seconds into the bell container. When I empty the bell container
from all built-up Co2, the next day the bell container is almost full
again,
like it is not dissolving into the water.

So, what do you all think? Would it be best to put the holding unit just
below the water level, or further down in the tank?

My plants have been 'sleeping' lately and haven't been growing at all,
but,
that could also be due to the fact I changed from gravel to sand recently
too.

Brian S.